Horner Says Rural Hospitals in Jeopardy

Independence party gubernatorial candidate Tom Horner likes some of the health care policies of outgoing governor Tim Pawlenty, but not all.  

The former Republican told KLKS News, the initiative to reduce the costs of coordinating care for those suffering from chronic conditions was good.  However, in a debate with DFLer Mark Dayton and Republican Tom Emmer, Horner says Pawlenty and the legislature have gotten off track.  He says the state health care plan that affects the poorest Minnesotans has the potential to ruin rural hospitals.  He says the plan would require them to pick up the costs of treatment, and they can't afford it.

Horner and his two major party opponents appeared before the Minnesota Hospital Association conference at Madden's on Gull Lake.